Automatic answering pick-up device

ABSTRACT

A cordless telephone headset and remotely controlled telephone handset pick-up device for use in conjunction with an existing corded telephone set. A mechanical lift arm of the pick-up device, driven by an electric motor with a slip clutch, lifts the handset away from the corded telephone cradle, placing the telephone handset in an off-hook position. The handset is lowered back onto the cradle by the mechanical lift arm, returning the telephone set to an on-hook position. The mechanical lift arm is activated and deactivated in response to a radio signal indicative of the lowering and raising of the microphone boom of the cordless headset. The slip clutch provides sufficient force to gently and reliably raise and lower the telephone handset without causing misalignment between the handset and the cradle and without causing damage. As the handset is gently lowered over the hook switch, the motor drives the lift arm downward beyond a point at which the handset is expected to be lowered into the cradle, ensuring that the telephone is reliably placed on-hook, while the slip clutch limits the amount of force that can be applied to the telephone set. The telephone set rests upon a platform coupled to the lift-arm, providing a unitary structure for the telephone set and handset pick-up device which aids in maintaining proper alignment of the handset to the cradle by preventing the lift arm from forcing the pick-up device out alignment.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of telephones. More particularly,this invention relates to the field of automatic telephone handsetpick-up devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Since the advent of the telephone, a variety of accessories have beendeveloped for making telephone usage more convenient and for meetingvarious needs of telephone users. Among these accessories are cordlesstelephones. Cordless telephones generally include a base unit and acordless handset or a headset. The base unit is typically coupled to atelephone wall jack or to an existing corded telephone set and includesa radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals between thebase unit and the handset or headset.

Contemporary cordless handsets offer users most, if not all, of theoperational features currently associated with conventional cordedtelephones. This includes notification of an incoming call, an abilityto answer the call, to initiate a call, dial a number, to converse withthe other party, and to terminate the call by hanging-up. This allows auser to rely solely on the cordless handset for all operational featuresof the telephone. Cordless handsets, however, like corded handsets,require that the user occupy one hand with the handset or require thatthe user cradle the handset between the user's shoulder and ear.

Cordless telephone headsets have emerged as another popular telephoneaccessory. The cordless headset is worn by the user and typicallyincorporates a microphone boom, a microphone, a speaker and atransceiver housed within the headset which allow the headset tocommunicate directly with a base unit. As such, cordless headsets allowthe user to converse with another party while having both hands free andwhile having freedom of movement within the range of the transceiver.

Headsets, cordless and corded, however, only replace the functionalityof a handset and do not include all the functions of a telephone. Forexample, headsets are generally not configured to initiate a call, todial a number or to answer an incoming call. As such, cordless headsetstypically do not provide an ability to control the base unit to gooff-hook for receiving an incoming call or to go on-hook to hang-up thecall at the end of a conversation. Thus, their utility is limited inthat the user must be stationed near the existing corded telephone setto answer an incoming call. Only after the call has been answered canthe user walk freely away while continuing the conversation. The usermust again return to the existing corded telephone set to terminate thecall by hanging up.

Cordless headsets are often provided as an after-market add-on for anexisting telephone. As such, a cordless headset from one source ormanufacturer can generally be used with telephones from a variety ofsources or manufacturers. An example of a prior art cordless headset 100is illustrated in FIG. 1. Headsets identical or similar to the headset100 can be obtained from Hello Direct, Inc, located at 5893 Rue Ferrari,in San Jose, Calif. or by calling Hello Direct, Inc. at 1(800)444-3556.

The headset 100 includes a microphone 101, a receiver speaker 102 and atransceiver 103. The headset 100 is designed to allow hands freetelephone conversations once a call is established. The headset 100communicates via radio frequency signals with a base unit 104 which iscoupled to the handset port of an existing telephone 105. A batterypowered radio transceiver 103 is included in the headset 100. Inoperation, battery power is removed from the headset 100 when themicrophone boom 106 is rotated upwards such that it is approximatelyperpendicular to the ground. When the boom 106 is rotated downward,battery power is applied to the headset 100 such that the user is ableto converse with another party over the telephone. The headset 100 isdesigned so that it can be configured for use with an existing telephone105. Thus, to install the base unit 104, the base unit 104 iselectrically coupled to the telephone handset port. The handset 107 isdisconnected from the handset port of the telephone 105 and reconnectedto an appropriate port of the base unit 104. The headset 100 and thehandset 107 can be used interchangeably, but not at the same time.

To place or answer a call, the user must remove the handset 107 from thecradle 108. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a prior art device for mechanicallyraising a telephone handset off-hook. The device illustrated in FIGS. 2and 3 is currently available from Hello Direct, Inc., under the nameTOUCH-N-TALK™ and is the subject of U.S. Pat. D358,594. By rotating alever 201, a bar 202 engages the handset 107 and lifts the handset 107from the cradle 108, thus placing the telephone off-hook. Rotating thelever 201 in the opposite direction replaces the handset 107 on thecradle 108, placing the telephone on-hook. Therefore, this device allowsa user to manually answer and hang-up calls without having to fullyremove the handset 107 from the cradle 108. The device illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3 has a drawback in that the user must be in a position tomanually lift the handset from the cradle in order to answer and toterminate a call.

FIG. 4 illustrates a prior art hook switch On/Off device described inEuropean Patent Application No. EP 680,188. When an On/Off controlsignal is applied to a XOR gate 401, a driving motor 401 starts rotationof gears 402, 403 and semi-circular gear 404. Rotation of the gear 404causes a member 104b to rise relative to a member 405, lifting atelephone handset from its hook switch. When the separating member 104brises sufficiently, a sensor 407 signals the motor 401 to stop. When theOn/Off control signal indicates the call is over, the motor 401 rotatesthe gear 404 until the gear 404 no longer engages the member 104b. Thiscauses the member 104b to fall, dropping the handset onto the hookswitch. The sensor 407 then signals the motor 401 to stop. This devicehas a drawback in that repeatedly dropping the telephone handset ontothe hook switch of the telephone may eventually damage the handset, thehook switch or the telephone. In addition, the handset may becomemisaligned from the member 104b or from the cradle such that the handsetmay not land directly on the hook switch, causing the hook switch toremain off hook. Failure to properly hang up after a telephone call canresult in unnecessary telephone charges, while later callers can receivea busy signal. Also, the linear lift mechanism and mechanicalconfiguration of the commercial embodiment of this device allow it to bereadily configured to only a limited number of commercially availabletelephone sets.

What is needed is a device that will notify a headset user of anincoming call and that will allow the user to reliably answer calls andto hang-up the calls from a remote location using the cordless headset.What is further needed is a device of the aforementioned type that iscompatible with existing telephone units.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a cordless telephone headset and remotely controlledtelephone handset pick-up device adapted for use in conjunction with anexisting corded telephone set. A base unit is electrically coupled tothe handset port of the corded telephone, while the handset of thecorded telephone is electrically coupled to the base unit. The base unitcommunicates with the headset via radio signals. A mechanical lift armof the pick-up device, driven by an electric motor with a slip clutch,lifts the handset away from the corded telephone cradle, placing thetelephone handset in an off-hook position. From the off-hook position,the handset is lowered back down onto the cradle by the mechanical liftarm, returning the telephone set to an on-hook position. The mechanicallift arm is activated and deactivated in response to a radio signalindicative of the lowering and raising of the microphone boom of thecordless headset.

The slip clutch provides sufficient force to gently and reliably raiseand lower the telephone handset without causing misalignment between thehandset and the cradle and without causing damage to the handset, thehook switch or to the telephone set. As the handset is gently loweredover the hook switch, the motor drives the lift arm downward beyond apoint at which the handset is expected to be lowered into the cradle toensure that the telephone is reliably placed on-hook, while the slipclutch limits the amount of force that can be applied to the telephoneset. In other words, the duration of time the device lowers the handsetis longer than for raising the handset to ensure that the handset isfully replace on the cradle.

The telephone set rests upon a platform coupled to the lift-arm. Thisarrangement provides a unitary structure for the telephone set andhandset pick-up device which aids in maintaining proper alignment of thehandset to the cradle by preventing the lift arm from forcing thepick-up device out alignment when the lift arm picks up the handset andwhen the clutch slips against the telephone. The lift arm rotates abouta pivoting axis. The length of the arm is variable to accommodate avariety of telephone configurations. Additionally, the use of thisunitary structure in combination with the rotating lift arm allow thisdevice to be used with a very wide variety of commercially availabletelephone sets.

A microphone and a sensor are positioned to sense when the cordedtelephone is ringing. When it is determined that the corded telephone isringing, a signal is transmitted to the cordless headset to alert theuser of the incoming call. To answer the call from the cordless headset,the user lowers the microphone boom of the headset into an in-useposition, thereby causing the headset to signal the base unit to gooff-hook. The base unit then causes the mechanical lift arm to raise thehandset from its cradle. When the handset is raised from the cradle, thetelephone is off-hook and the incoming call is coupled to the cordlessheadset. The user can then converse with the caller. To terminate thecall, the user raises the microphone boom of the headset into a standbyposition, thereby causing the headset to signal the base unit to goon-hook, causing the mechanical lift arm to lower the handset back intothe cradle, terminating the call. When the handset is in the cradle, thetelephone is on-hook and is again ready to accept incoming calls.

In this manner, incoming calls can be reliably answered and terminatedusing the cordless headset, even when the user is at a remote locationaway from the corded telephone set. If desired, the handset of thecorded telephone can be used to communicate over the telephone line whenthe user is located near the corded telephone set.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art headset system coupled to a conventionaltelephone.

FIG. 2 illustrates a prior art mechanical device for raising a telephonehandset off-hook.

FIG. 3 illustrates the prior art device illustrated in FIG. 2 coupled toa conventional telephone.

FIG. 4 illustrates a prior art hook switch On/Off device.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a detailed schematic of the motor control circuit.

FIG. 8 illustrates a detailed schematic of the motor control circuit andthe microphone preamplifier circuit.

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram for the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic representation of a headset and controlleraccording to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the present invention. A mainstand 10 and an outer stand 11 comprise a platform 17 of the invention.The platform 17 is designed to have a corded telephone unit (not shown)rest on top of the platform 17 to ensure that the corded telephone willremain correctly positioned relative to the present invention. Further,with the corded telephone unit resting on top of the platform 17, thepresent invention and the corded telephone unit are coupled togethersuch that they act as a single structural unit.

The main stand 10 and the outer stand 11 are preferably separable.Multiple outer stands 11 can be coupled to this construction toaccommodate wider telephone sets. It will be apparent, however, thatother means can be provided for adjusting the size of the platform 17.

A pedestal unit 12 is coupled to the platform 17. A microphone 14 iscoupled to the pedestal unit 12. The pedestal unit 12 offers structuralsupport for a motor housing 13 and also serves as a housing for controlcircuits. A handset shaft 16 is coupled between a drive shaft 18 and ahandset arm 15. Together, the handset shaft 16 and handset arm 15comprise a lift-arm 19. The handset arm 15 can be padded to protect thecorded telephone handset (not shown). Preferably, the padding alsoprevents the handset from shifting its position relative to the lift-arm19 at times when the handset is lifted by the lift-arm 19.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side cut-away view of the present invention whichhighlights elements of the pedestal unit 12. The drive shaft 18 issurrounded by motor shaft bushings 20. The motor shaft bushings 20 keepthe handset shaft 16 properly aligned. A clutch housing 21 contains aclutch band mechanism 22. The clutch band mechanism 22 is coupled to thedrive shaft 20 and the handset shaft 16. The clutch band mechanismtransfers the energy from the motor 27 to the drive shaft 18. The amountfor force that the motor 27 can apply to the drive shaft 18 isselectively limited by the amount of force generated by the clutch bandmechanism 22. Accordingly, the clutch band mechanism 22 prevents themotor 27 from over-straining when the handset shaft 16 has reached afurthermost downward position or when the handset shaft 16 contacts anunexpected obstacle while the motor is still running.

A height adjustable potentiometer 26 allows the user to adjust the pickup height that the present invention lifts the corded telephone handset.The height adjustability makes the invention easily adaptable to a widevariety of corded phones. By minimizing the height to which the handsetis lifted, the opportunity for misalignment of the handset to thetelephone hook switch will be reduced as the handset will be less likelyto shift its position relative to the handset arm 15. A PC board 23houses the circuitry for detecting a ring and controlling the motor 27.A microphone input 25 provides the present invention with a telephonering detection input signal and is coupled to the PC board 23. The port24 provides the signal to the cordless headset and likewise, receives asignal from the cordless headset. The port 24 serves as thecommunications port which links the present invention to the cordlessheadset.

FIG. 7 illustrates a detailed schematic of a circuit for controlling themotor which is implemented on the PC board 23 of FIG. 6. It will beapparent that other circuits can be readily designed and implemented tocontrol the motor. A logic input is entered on line 100. Line 100 iscoupled to a first terminal of a resistor 101 (100 k ohms), a firstterminal of a switch 102, and a first terminal of a resistor 104 (100 kohms). A second terminal of the resistor 101 is coupled to the ground. Asecond terminal of the switch 102 is coupled to a first terminal of aresistor 103 (100 k ohms). A second terminal of the resistor 104 iscoupled to a base terminal of an npn transistor 105 (2N4401). An emitterterminal of the transistor 105 is coupled to the ground. A collectorterminal of the transistor 105 is coupled to a second terminal of theresistor 103, an input terminal of an inverter 106 (4049), and an inputterminal of an inverter 134 (4049).

An output terminal of the inverter 106 is coupled to an input terminalof an inverter 107 (4049). An output terminal of the inverter 107 iscoupled to a first terminal of a resistor 108 (10 k ohms). A secondterminal of the resistor 108 is coupled to a first terminal of acapacitor 110 (0.1 μF) and a collector terminal of an npn transistor 122(2N4401). A second terminal of the capacitor 110 is coupled to an inputterminal of an inverter 111 (4049) and a first terminal of a resistor109 (1M ohms). A second terminal of the resistor 109 and an emitterterminal of the transistor 122 are coupled to the ground. An outputterminal of the inverter 111 is coupled to a first terminal of aresistor 112 (10 k ohms) and pin 8 of a chip 113.

The chip 113 is preferably part number LH556 and provides the circuit inthe FIG. 7 with proper control signals to operate the motor 126. It willbe apparent that other motor control circuits can be utilized. Pin 9 ofthe chip 113 is coupled to an anode terminal of a diode 121 (1N4140).Pin 10 of the chip 113 is coupled to the power supply VCC. Pin 11 of thechip 113 is coupled to a positive terminal of a capacitor 114 (0.1 μF),and a negative terminal of the capacitor 114 is coupled to the ground.Pins 12 and 13 of the chip 113 are coupled to a positive terminal of thecapacitor 116 and a first terminal of a variable resistor 115. A secondterminal of the variable resistor 115 is coupled to the VCC, and anegative terminal of the capacitor 116 is coupled to the ground. Pins 4and 14 of the chip 113 are coupled to the VCC, and pin 7 of the chip 113is coupled to the ground. Pin 6 of the chip 113 is coupled to a firstterminal of a resistor 120 (10 k ohms) and an output terminal of theinverter 138 (4049).

A second terminal of the resistor 120 is coupled to the VCC. Pin 5 ofthe chip 113 is coupled to a first terminal of a resistor 123 (10 kohms), a first terminal of a resistor 132 (10 k ohms), and a firstterminal of a resistor 128 (10 k ohms). Pin 3 of the chip 113 is coupledto a positive terminal of a capacitor 119 (0.1 μF), and a negativeterminal of the capacitor 119 is coupled to the ground. Pins 1 and 2 ofthe chip 113 are coupled to a positive terminal of a capacitor 117 (33μF) and a first terminal of a variable resistor 118. A second terminalof the variable resistor 118 is coupled to the VCC, and a negativeterminal of the capacitor 117 is coupled to the ground. A secondterminal of the resistor 124 is coupled to a base terminal of thetransistor 122.

A cathode terminal of the diode 121 is coupled to a first terminal of aresistor 129 (10 k ohms), a first terminal of a resistor 124 (10 kohms), and a cathode terminal of a diode 143 (1N4140). The secondterminals of the resistors 124, 132, 128, and 129 are coupled to thebase terminals of the transistors 125, 131, 127, and 130, respectively.The collector terminals of the transistors 125 and 127 are coupled tothe VCC. The emitter terminals of the transistors 131 and 130 arecoupled to a first terminal of a resistor 133. A second terminal of theresistor 133 is coupled to the ground. An emitter terminal of thetransistor 125 and a collector terminal of the transistor 131 arecoupled to a first terminal of the motor 126. An emitter terminal of thetransistor 127 and a collector terminal of the transistor 130 arecoupled to a second terminal of the motor 126.

An output terminal of the inverter 134 is coupled to a first terminal ofa resistor 135 (10 k ohms). A second terminal of the resistor 135 iscoupled to a collector terminal of the transistor 139 and a firstterminal of a capacitor 136 (0.1 μF). A second terminal of the capacitor136 is coupled to an input terminal of an inverter 138 and a firstterminal of a resistor 137 (1M ohm). A second terminal of the resistor137 is coupled to the ground. A base terminal of the transistor 139 iscoupled to a first terminal of a resistor 140 (10 k ohms), and anemitter terminal of the transistor 139 is coupled to the ground. Asecond terminal of the resistor 140 is coupled to a base terminal of thetransistor 127 and a collector terminal of the transistor 141. A baseterminal of the transistor 141 is coupled to a first terminal of theresistor 142, and an emitter terminal of the transistor 141 is coupledto the ground. A second terminal of the resistor 142 is coupled an anodeterminal of the diode 143 and an output terminal of the inverter 144. Aninput terminal of the inverter 144 is coupled to a first terminal of aresistor 146 (1M ohm) and a positive terminal of a capacitor 145 (2.2μF). A negative terminal of the capacitor 145 is coupled to the ground,and a second terminal of the resistor 146 is coupled to the VCC.

FIG. 8 illustrates a detailed schematic of the motor controller circuitand the microphone preamplifier circuit which is implemented on the PCboard 23 of FIG. 6. A contact microphone 200 is coupled to apreamplifier circuit which filters and amplifies certain frequenciessuch that an input signal can be distinguished between a telephone ringand other extraneous sounds. The contact microphone 200 is coupled to ajack plug 202. The 2.5 mm jack plug 202 has a first terminal coupled tothe ground. A second terminal of the jack plug 202 is coupled to a firstterminal of a resistor 201 (2.2 k ohms) and a first terminal of acapacitor 203. A second terminal of the resistor 201 is coupled to afirst terminal of a resistor 204 (10 k ohms), a first terminal of aresistor 209 (180 k ohms), and 8.8 volts dc. A second terminal of thecapacitor 203 is coupled to a base terminal of an npn transistor 207(2N4401) and a first terminal of a resistor 204 (820 k ohms).

A second terminal of the resistor 204 is coupled to a second terminal ofthe resistor 205, a first terminal of a capacitor 206, and a collectorterminal of the transistor 207. A emitter terminal of the transistor 207is coupled to a first terminal of a resistor 208 (510k ohms). A secondterminal of the resistor 208 is coupled to the ground. A second terminalof the capacitor 206 is coupled to a second terminal of the resistor209, a first terminal of a resistor 210 (22 k ohms), and a V+ terminalof an operational amplifier 211 (LM324). A second terminal of theresistor 210 is coupled to the ground. Pin 4 of the operationalamplifier 211 is biased to 8.8 volts dc, and pin 11 is coupled to theground. A V- terminal of the operational amplifier 211 is coupled to afirst terminal of a resistor 212 (1M ohmn). A second terminal of theresistor 212 is coupled an output terminal of the operational amplifier211 and a first terminal of a resistor 213 (10 k ohms).

A second terminal of the resistor 213 is coupled to an anode terminal ofa diode 214 (1N4148). A cathode terminal of the diode 214 is coupled toa positive terminal of a capacitor 215 (2.2 μF), a first terminal of aresistor 216 (220 k ohms), and a V+ terminal of an operational amplifier217 (LM324). A V- terminal of the operational amplifier 217 is coupledto a first terminal of a resistor 219 and a first terminal of a resistor281 (34 k ohms). A second terminal of the resistor 219 is coupled to theground, and a second terminal of the resistor 218 is coupled to anoutput terminal of the operational amplifier 217, a first terminal of aresistor 220 (1M ohm), and a cathode terminal of a diode 221 (1N4148). Asecond terminal of the resistor 220 is coupled to an anode terminal ofthe diode 221, a positive terminal of a capacitor 225 (2.2 μF), a firstterminal of a resistor 222 (56 k ohms), and a V+ terminal of anoperational amplifier 223 (LM324). Negative terminals of the capacitor225 and the capacitor 215 are coupled to the ground. A second terminalof the resistor 222 is coupled to 8.8 volts dc. A V- terminal of theoperational amplifier 223 is coupled to a first terminal of a resistor224 (90 k ohms), and a second terminal of the resistor 224 is coupled tothe ground. An output terminal of the operational amplifier 223 iscoupled to a first terminal of a resistor 226 (1M ohm) and a firstterminal of a resistor 227 (1M ohm).

A second terminal of the resistor 227 is coupled to an anode terminal ofa diode 228 (1N4148). A second terminal of the diode 228 is coupled to asecond terminal of the resistor 226, a positive terminal of a capacitor229 (1 μF), and a V+ terminal of an operational amplifier 231 (LM324). Anegative terminal of the capacitor 229 is coupled to the ground. A V-terminal of the operational amplifier 231 is coupled to a first terminalof a resistor 293 (27 k ohms) and a first terminal of a resistor 230(100 k ohms). A second terminal of the resistor 293 is coupled to 8.8volts dc, and a second terminal of the resistor 230 is coupled to theground. An output terminal of the operational amplifier 231 is coupledto a first terminal of a resistor 232 (1 k ohm). A second terminal ofthe resistor 232 is coupled to a ring detection signal module on a thirdterminal of a jumper switch 233. A first terminal of the jumper switch233 is coupled to an anode terminal of a diode 291. A cathode terminalof the diode 291 is coupled to a 12 volt unregulated power source. Afourth terminal of the jumper switch 233 is coupled to the ground.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 8, a third terminal of the jumper switch233 is labeled hook on/off signal and is coupled to a first terminal ofa resistor 235 (100 k ohms) and a first terminal of a resistor 234 (100k ohms). A second terminal of the resistor 234 is coupled to the ground.A second terminal of the resistor 235 is coupled to a base terminal ofan npn transistor 237 (2N4401). An emitter terminal of the transistor237 is coupled to the ground. A collector terminal of the transistor 237is coupled to a first terminal of a resistor 236 (100 k ohms), a inputterminal of an inverter 238, and an input terminal of an inverter 262. Asecond terminal of the resistor 236 is coupled to 10 volts dc. An outputterminal of the inverter 238 is coupled to an input terminal of aninverter 239. An output terminal of the inverter 239 is coupled to afirst terminal of a resistor 240 (10 k ohms). A second terminal of theresistor 240 is coupled to a collector terminal of an npn transistor 249(2N4401) and a first terminal of a capacitor 241.

An emitter terminal of the transistor 249 is coupled to the ground. Abase terminal of the transistor 249 is coupled to a first terminal of aresistor 250. A second terminal of the capacitor 241 is coupled to afirst terminal of a resistor 242 and an input terminal of an inverter245. A second terminal of the resistor 242 is coupled to the ground. Anoutput terminal of the inverter 245 is coupled to pin 8 of the a chip247 (LM556CM) which is the trigger terminal. Pin 12 (threshold) and pin13 of the chip 247 are coupled to a first terminal of a resistor 243(412 k ohms), a first terminal of a capacitor 294 (1 μF), and a firstterminal of a capacitor 244 (2.2 μF). A second terminal of the resistor243 is coupled to 10 volts dc. Each second terminal of the capacitor 294and the capacitor 244 is coupled to the ground. Pin 10 of the chip 247is coupled to 10 volts dc, and pin 11 is coupled to a first terminal ofthe capacitor 246. A second terminal of the capacitor 246 is coupled tothe ground. Pin 9 (output) of the chip 247 is coupled to an anodeterminal of a diode 248 (1N4148).

An output terminal of the inverter 262 is coupled to a first terminal ofthe resistor 261. A second terminal of the resistor 261 is coupled to afirst terminal of the capacitor 257 and a collector terminal of an npntransistor 259 (2N4401). A base terminal of the transistor 259 iscoupled to a first terminal of a resistor 258, and an emitter terminalof the transistor 259 is coupled to the ground. A second terminal of thecapacitor 257 is coupled to an input terminal of an inverter 253 and afirst terminal of a resistor 256. A second terminal of the resistor 256is coupled to the ground. An output terminal of the inverter 253 iscoupled to pin 6 of the chip 252 (LM556CM). Pins 1 and 2 of the chip 252are coupled to a first terminal of a capacitor 955 (1 μF), a firstterminal of a capacitor 255 (2.2 μF), and a first terminal of a resistor254 (332 k ohms). Each second terminal of the capacitor 295 and thecapacitor 255 is coupled to the ground. A second terminal of theresistor 254 is coupled to 10 volts dc. Pin 4 of the chip 252 is coupledto 10 volts dc. Pin 3 of the chip 252 is coupled to the first terminalof a capacitor 251. A second terminal of the capacitor 251 is coupled tothe ground.

A first terminal of a resistor 263 (1M ohm) is coupled to 10 volts dc. Asecond terminal of the resistor 263 is coupled to an input terminal ofan inverter 264 and a first terminal of a capacitor 265 (2.2 μF). Asecond terminal of the capacitor 265 is coupled to the ground. An outputterminal of the inverter 264 is coupled to an anode terminal of a diode260 (1N4148) and a first terminal of a resistor 266 (47 k ohms). Asecond terminal of the resistor 266 is coupled to a base terminal of annpn transistor 267 (2N4401). An emitter terminal of the transistor 267is coupled to the ground. A collector terminal of the transistor 267 iscoupled to a base terminal of an npn transistor 270 (2N4401) and a firstterminal of a resistor 271 (220 ohms). A second terminal of the resistor271 is coupled to a second terminal of the resistor 250 and a firstterminal of a resistor 281 (1 k ohm). A cathode terminal of the diode260 is coupled to a second terminal of the resistor 258, a cathodeterminal of the diode 248, a first terminal of a resistor 268 (220ohms), and a first terminal of a resistor 277 (1 k ohm).

A second terminal of the resistor 268 is coupled to a base terminal ofan npn transistor 269 (2N4401). A second terminal of the resistor 281 iscoupled to a base terminal of an npn transistor 280 (2N4401). A secondterminal of the resistor 277 is coupled to a base terminal of an npntransistor 278 (2N4401). A collector terminal of the transistors 269 and270 are coupled to an emitter terminal of an npn transistor 287. Anemitter terminal of the transistor 269 is coupled to a first terminal ofa resistor 272 (1 k ohm), pin 1 of a jumper 274, and a collectorterminal of the transistor 280. An emitter terminal of the transistor270 is coupled to a first terminal of a capacitor 273 (0.1 μF), pin 2 ofthe jumper 274, and a collector terminal of the transistor 278. A secondterminal of the resistor 272 is coupled to a second terminal of thecapacitor 273. Emitter terminals of the transistors 278 and 280 arecoupled to a first terminal of a resistor 279 (0 ohms). A secondterminal of the resistor 279 is coupled to the ground.

A base terminal of the transistor 287 is coupled to a first terminal ofa resistor 288 (1 k ohm). A second terminal of the resistor 288 iscoupled to a first terminal of a potentiometer 289 (1 k ohm). A secondterminal of the potentiometer 289 is coupled to a first terminal of aresistor 290 (560 ohms). A second terminal of the resistor 290 iscoupled to the ground. A third terminal of the potentiometer 289 iscoupled to the voltage VCC. A collector terminal of the transistor 287is coupled to an unregulated 12 volt voltage supply.

Pin 3 of a chip 283 (LM317-LZ) is coupled to a first terminal of acapacitor 282 and 12 volts of unregulated dc. Pin 1 of the chip 283 iscoupled to a first terminal of a resistor 284 (1.5 k ohms) and a firstterminal of a resistor 285 (220 ohms). Pin 2 of the chip 283 is coupledto 8.8 volts dc, a positive terminal of a capacitor 286 (1 μF), and asecond terminal of the resistor 285. A second terminal of the capacitor282, a second terminal of the resistor 284, and a negative terminal ofthe capacitor 286 are coupled to the ground.

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram for the present invention. The block300 contains the initialization sequence which occurs upon powering upthe present invention. The block 304 receives the incoming logic andprovides logic detection. Upon detecting the logic, the block 304 sendsthe detected logic to the block 302. The block 302 processes the logicand either activates the block 301 (Off Hook Timer) or the block 303 (OnHook Timer). Both of the blocks 301 and 303 provide the block 305 withthe appropriate motor direction and the appropriate predetermined amountof time the motor is activated. In order to ensure that the telephonehandset fully returns to the on-hook position, the block 303 activatesthe motor for a longer time duration than the block 301. The block 306receives the direction and time duration for the proper operation.

A commercial device embodying the present invention is being developedand is anticipated that it will be introduced during the first quarterof 1997 by Hello Direct, Inc. It is configured to cooperate with animproved version of the cordless headset of FIG. 1. In FIG. 10, thereceiver circuit of the cordless headset 400 will activate upon removalfrom the charging cradle. With the microphone boom 406 in the upposition, all other circuits of the headset 400 remain inactive toconserve the battery.

Upon detection of an incoming call as a result of a ringing signal, thedevice of the present invention will communicate the ringing conditionto the headset base unit 404 which in turn will provide an appropriatesignal to the receiver circuit of the headset 400. The headset 400 willprovide an audible signal to the user via the ear piece 402. If the userdecides to answer the incoming call, the microphone boom 406 will belowered. That action will activate the remaining circuits of the headset400 and cause the headset 400 to generate a pick-up signal which iscommunicated to the headset base unit 404 and then to the device of thepresent invention which will raise the handset in response.

Upon termination of a call, the user will raise the microphone boom 406.This action deactivates all circuits of the headset 400 except thereceiver circuit and concurrently transmits a hang-up signal to theheadset base unit 404. The hang-up signal is communicated to the presentinvention to lower the telephone handset onto the cradle and take thetelephone on hook, thereby. This remote notification and two-waycommunication allows a user to receive and terminate calls from alocation remote from their telephone set.

Returning to FIG. 6, the clutch band 22 found inside the clutch housing21, transfers the energy created by the motor 27 to the handset arm 15such that the handset arm can be raised and lowered. The clutch band 22also prevents the motor 27, as well as the parts coupled to the motor27, such as the handset arm 15, the handset shaft 16, and the driveshaft 18 from becoming over-stressed. Without the clutch band 22 toprevent excessive force, the additional time the motor is activated inthe on-hook direction relative to the off-hook direction could causedamage to the motor 27 and to the parts coupled to the motor 27.Additionally, the clutch band 22 also safeguards against possible damageto the motor 27 and its coupled parts while operating in the off-hookdirection when there is an unexpected obstacle in the path of thehandset arm 15, the handset shaft 16, or the drive shaft 18.

Proper alignment of the handset to the lift-arm 19 when the handset islifted is maintained by adjusting the amount of time during which themotor 27 lifts the handset in a minimum. Preferably, the height abovethe cradle to which the handset is lifted is thereby minimized to thatwhich is just sufficient to reliably activate the hook switch of thetelephone. Otherwise, as the handset is lifted higher than necessary, itis more likely to slip or shift relative to the handset arm 15. Tofurther prevent such slipping, the handset arm 15 is preferably coveredwith a anti-slip padding, such as rubber or foam rubber.

In addition, because the telephone set rests upon the platform 17 whichis coupled to the handset arm 15 by the pedestal 12 and the handsetshaft 16, a unitary structure for the telephone set and handset pick-updevice is provided. This unitary structure aids in maintaining properalignment of the handset to the cradle by preventing the forcesassociated with lifting the handset from forcing the pick-up device outalignment with the handset and with the telephone cradle. As the handsetis gently lowered over the hook switch, the motor 27 drives the handsetarm 15 downward beyond a point at which the handset is expected to belowered into the cradle to ensure that the telephone is reliably placedon-hook, while the clutch 22 limits the amount of force that can beapplied to the telephone set. Because a unitary structure for thetelephone set and handset pick-up device is provided by resting thetelephone set on the platform 17, proper alignment of the handset to thecradle is maintained by preventing the forces associated with the clutch22 slipping after the lift-arm 19 contacts the telephone from forcingthe pick-up device out alignment. Accordingly, the clutch 22 providessufficient force to gently and reliably raise and lower the telephonehandset without causing misalignment between the handset and the cradleof the telephone resting on the platform 17 and without causing damageto the handset, the hook switch or to the telephone set.

The motor control portion of the circuits, in FIGS. 6 and 7, control thepick up and hang up of the telephone handset via the motor 27 and theappropriate structure in the base unit. While taking into account theheight adjustable pot 26 of FIG. 6, the motor control circuit adjuststhe amount of time the motor 27 operates in the pick up direction toaccommodate different pick up heights that are characteristic to variouscorded telephones. Further, to ensure that the handset is fully on thehook after the call is complete, the motor control circuit operates themotor 27 in the on-hook direction for a slightly longer duration than inthe off-hook direction. Preferably, this longer time duration is 115% ofthe time during which the motor 27 is activated to lift the handset.

The microphone pre-amplification circuit found in FIG. 8 amplifies andfilters out specific frequencies that are received from the contactmicrophone 200. The pre-amplification circuit prevents extraneous noisesfrom providing erroneous ring signals to the base unit of the presentinvention. Additionally, the pre-amplification circuit must also providethe correct notification of the ring signals from the corded telephone.Because the present invention is designed to operate with a variety ofcorded telephones from different manufacturers each with possiblydifferent characteristic ring signals, the pre-amplification circuitmust correctly sense a variety of ring signals.

While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has beenillustrated and described as an integrated circuit using bipolartransistors, it will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in theart that the circuit of the present invention may be implemented usinganother device technology, including but not limited to CMOS, MOS,discrete components and ECL. It will also be apparent to those skilledin the art that different logic circuit configurations could besubstituted for the logic circuit described above to perform thefunctions of the preferred embodiment.

The present invention has been described in terms of specificembodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of theprinciples of construction and operation of the invention. Suchreference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is notintended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. For example,specific values are given to capacitors and resistors which are only tofacilitate the understanding of the principles of construction andoperation of the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in theart that modifications may be made in the embodiment chosen forillustration without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

We claim:
 1. An automatic telephone answering pick-up device comprisingan answering means for allowing a user to automatically and remotelyremove and replace a telephone handset from a cradle of a cordedtelephone according to a remote wireless signal wherein the answeringmeans comprises a gearless lifter means to raise and lower the telephonehandset from the cradle using a rotational motion such that theautomatic telephone answering pick-up device is configured to interfacewith a variety of corded telephone types.
 2. The automatic telephoneanswering pick-up device according to claim 1 wherein the answeringmeans further comprising a means for controlling the gearless liftermeans in response to the remote wireless signal coupled between thetelephone handset and the gearless lifter means.
 3. The automatictelephone answering pick-up device according to claim 1 wherein thegearless lifter means comprises an electric motor coupled to a slipclutch for lifting and lowering the telephone handset wherein the slipclutch prevents the electric motor from over-straining.
 4. The automatictelephone answering pick-up device according to claim 2 wherein the baseunit further comprises a microphone for sensing when the cordedtelephone rings.
 5. The automatic telephone answering pick-up deviceaccording to claim 3 wherein the base unit further comprises a timedelay circuit that provides a greater amount of time the electric motoris in operation during lowering of the handset into the cradle relativeto operation during lifting of the handset from the cradle.
 6. Theautomatic telephone answering pick-up device according to claim 2wherein the base unit further comprises a height adjustment circuit forallowing the gearless lifter means to lift the telephone handset to anadjustable height.
 7. The automatic telephone answering pick-up deviceaccording to claim 2 further comprising a platform coupled to the baseunit and the gearless lifter means for resting the corded telephoneabove the platform.
 8. The automatic telephone answering pick-up deviceaccording to claim 7 wherein the platform further comprising a spacerfor increasing and decreasing a platform size by inserting and removingthe spacer, respectively.
 9. The automatic telephone answering pick-updevice according to claim 2 wherein the remote wireless signal isactivated to remove the handset from the cradle by lowering a microphoneboom of a cordless headset and to replace the handset into the cradle byraising the microphone boom of the cordless headset.
 10. An automatictelephone answering pick-up device for allowing a user to automaticallyand remotely remove and replace a telephone handset from a telephonecradle according to a remote wireless signal, the device comprising:a. alift arm coupled to a telephone for raising and lowering the telephonehandset from the cradle; b. a microphone coupled between the base unitand the telephone for sensing when the telephone rings; and c. a slipclutch assembly coupled the lifter arm for lifting and lowering thelifter arm; and d. a motor coupled to the slip clutch for driving theslip clutch.
 11. The automatic telephone answering pick-up deviceaccording to claim 10 further comprising an integrated circuit coupledbetween the motor and the telephone handset for receiving the wirelessremote signal from a remote headset to control the lifting and loweringof the lifter arm, the integrated circuit further coupled to themicrophone such that the integrated circuit can sense when the telephoneis ringing.
 12. The automatic telephone answering pick-up deviceaccording to claim 10 further comprising a height adjustable circuit forallowing the slip clutch assembly to lift the telephone handset to auser adjustable height.
 13. The automatic telephone answering pick-updevice according to claim 10 further comprising a platform coupled tothe lift arm for resting the telephone above the platform.
 14. Theautomatic telephone answering pick-up device according to claim 13wherein the platform further comprises a spacer for increasing anddecreasing a platform size by inserting and removing the spacer,respectively.
 15. A method for allowing a user to automatically andremotely raise a telephone handset from a cradle of a corded telephoneaccording to a remote wireless signal comprising the steps of:a.transmitting a remote wireless pick-up signal; b. receiving the remotewireless signal; c. driving a slip clutch assembly in an upwardsdirection in response to the remote wireless signal; and d. lifting ahandset arm which in turn raises the telephone handset from its cradle.16. The method as claimed in claim 15 wherein the step of lifting thehandset arm further comprises the step of raising the handset arm to auser determined height.
 17. The method as claimed in claim 15 whereinthe step of driving the slip clutch assembly further comprises the stepof slipping the slip clutch assembly when an obstacle is present in theupwards direction of the handset arm.
 18. A method for allowing a userto automatically and remotely replace a telephone handset to itstelephone cradle according to a remote wireless signal comprising thesteps of:a. transmitting a remote wireless pick-up signal; b. receivingthe remote wireless signal; c. driving a slip clutch assembly in adownward direction in response to the remote wireless signal; and d.lowering a handset arm which in turn replaces the telephone handset toits cradle.
 19. The method according to claim 18 wherein the step ofdriving the slip clutch assembly in the downward direction causes theslip clutch assemble to lower the handset below a level of its cradle toensure that the telephone headset is placed in its cradle.